When it comes to infertility there’s a lot of misinformation floating around. These topics are often misunderstood, whether it’s whispers at the braai, late-night Google searches, or well-meaning but outdated advice from an uncle. The result?

As a man, chances are you’ve spent a period of your life ensuring you don’t impregnate your partner. But what happens when the time is right to make a baby? Only couples trying to conceive without success will know the true frustration of fertility problems. However, they’re definitely not alone. According to the World Health Organization, data suggests that as many as 186 million individuals are affected by infertility.

Couples trying to conceive without any joy will know how bittersweet celebratory events like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day can feel. After all, when you decide it’s time to start and family and things don’t come easy, it creates so much emotional trauma.

Nothing stays the same forever. It’s just the way of life and it’s usually a good thing. Can you imagine still wearing that fringe you cut in your early twenties? Still, our evolution affects everything, including the way we experience intimacy.

Many couples want to have a baby and making that happen seems simple enough. But sometimes it isn’t. In this case, wanting may turn into a deep yearning. So much so that a quick scroll through social media, a place where so many share their new baby joy, could feel like walking through a minefield of painful emotions.